A brutal January winter storm didn’t just paralyze airports — it temporarily reshuffled casting on General Hospital, forcing Daniel Cosgrove to miss two tape dates as Ezra Boyle. Between January 23 and January 26, more than 20,000 flights were canceled nationwide as ice, sleet, and record-breaking snowfall pummeled major travel hubs, including New York City.
Key Takeaways
- A massive January winter storm led to 20,000+ flight cancellations and forced a temporary General Hospital recast.
- Patrick Scott Lewis steps in as Ezra Boyle, beginning March 2, after Daniel Cosgrove was unable to travel.
- Ezra’s storyline heats up as he navigates dangerous territory between Mayor Laura Collins and blackmailer Jenz Sidwell.
Soap Opera Digest first reported that Cosgrove was unable to travel to Los Angeles, where the series films, and was temporarily replaced. The show tapped Patrick Scott Lewis to step into the role. Lewis will first appear as Ezra on Monday, March 2, with a second episode scheduled for Monday, March 16.
Not His First Time in Port Charles
This isn’t Lewis’s first appearance on the soap. In December 2024, he briefly played Mr. Thomas, interrupting a scene between Kai (Jens Austin Astrup) and Trina (Tabyana Ali) to snap a photo of his son with the local college football star.
Lewis brings an extensive résumé to the role, with guest appearances on Cold Case, CSI: Miami, and Castle. He also portrayed Victor Travis in Netflix’s Monster: The Ed Gein Story, based on the crimes of Ed Gein.
Ezra’s High-Stakes Storyline
The timing of the recast comes as Ezra plays a pivotal role in Port Charles politics. He has been acting as a liaison between Mayor Laura Collins (Genie Francis) and her blackmailer, Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota).
Ezra previously ran against Laura in last year’s mayoral election and lost, creating tension between them from the start. But in the February 26 episode, he showed rare vulnerability, admitting he had no idea how dangerous Sidwell truly was until he found himself in too deep with the polished but ruthless criminal.
With the storyline intensifying, viewers will now see Lewis step into the political firestorm — at least temporarily — while Cosgrove remains grounded by circumstances beyond Port Charles’ control.
